Maximise your snowy mountain experience

Adventurous souls who fancy a break from the pistes should ditch their skis for a day and check out some of the other exciting winter activities the mountains have to offer.

Ice Dive in Lake Montriond: For daring individuals who are looking for a break from the ski slopes ice diving provides the ultimate challenge. The training session is conducted on the shores of stunning lake Montriond which is a 5 minute drive from Morzine centre. Once the group are confident with their dive equipment and fully briefed on sub-ice safety everyone changes into their dry suits and descend into the icy underwater world through a hole in the ice sheet.

The enormous air bubbles trapped beneath the surface, icy caves and cavities and the eerily beautiful multi-coloured light caused by the thick ice refracting sunlight make for a surreal, almost extraterrestrial environment . rudechalets organise ice-dive trips for 200 Euros pp.

Climb 50m up a frozen waterfall: Experience a full day ice-climbing adventure - no experience necessary! Fully qualified instructors teach the skill of using ice-axes and crampons to ascend frozen cascades & glacial walls surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. Courses can be tailored to suit different abilities and cater for complete beginners through to advanced climbers. Safety training, harnesses and helmets provided. rudechalets organise full day ice climbing trips for 130 Euros pp.

Tandem paragliding: for incredible views of Mont-Blanc and a massive adrenaline rush, paragliding is as good as it gets! A fully qualified instructor will give a safety briefing and outline the take off and landing procedures. Determined by the wind, suitable take of point will be selected and the client and instructor (who are strapped together) will launch themselves in tandem off the side of the mountain and into the skies above the Chamonix valley. rudechalets organise 30 minute tandem paragliding flights for 70 Euros per person.

Dog sledding adventure: Learn to be a “Musher” and take off with your own team of huskies across the frozen fields of La Tour ski area. rudechalets can organise 60 minute dog sled lessons with a fully qualified guide and a team of well trained husky sled dogs for 69 euros pp.

Check out The Nissan Outdoor Games (20th – 21st February 2009 in Chamonix): This is a must-see event for extreme winter sports fanatics. Top adrenaline sports professionals display a whole range of activities including base jumps, speed riding (skis & parachute) snowboarding & paragliding which are filmed and photographed and then displayed in various exhibitions in Chamonix town.

The whole event is accompanied by live music, DJs, sports tuition and creative workshops which are all free to the public. Stay with rudechalets in Chamonix Mont-Blanc and check out the Nissan Outdoor games. February prices start from £599 pp/pw and inc. return airport transfers from GVA, ensuite accommodation, half board, unlimited wine, in-resort mini bus service.

rudechalets is a dynamic mountain sports company who provided fully catered and self catered ski and snowboard holidays in the French Alps. Prices start from £329 pp/pw and include: return airport transfers from Geneva, half board, ensuite accommodation, unlimited wine, in-resort mini bus service and mountain hosting in Morzine-Avoriaz.

For more information, log on to Rudechalets.com.